Lens array apparatus

Abstract

A lens array apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof are provided in which in the lens array apparatus includes a predetermined angle of gradient in relation to a thickness direction for each of a plurality of lenses, an exiting direction of light emitted from each lens is at an angle of gradient allowing respective converging points of the light emitted from each lens to be positioned on a predetermined straight line that corresponds to each lens and is parallel with the thickness direction, under a plurality of different ambient temperatures.

1. A lens array apparatus consisting of:
 a lens array including a plurality of lenses formed to be arrayed in a predetermined array direction and formed integrally to have a predetermined thickness in a thickness direction that is perpendicular to the array direction, the lens array emitting light, that has entered the plurality of lenses and corresponds to each lens, from each lens towards a predetermined converging point; 
 a light-emitting device that is disposed in a position facing the lens array in the thickness direction of the lenses and on which a plurality of light-emitting elements of a same number as a number of lenses are formed, the light-emitting elements respectively emitting light corresponding to each lens towards the plurality of lenses; and 
 a same number of plurality of optical fibers as a number of the lenses disposed in a position facing a side of the lens array opposing the light emitting device in the thickness direction of the lenses so that light emitted from each of the lenses enters each of the optical fibers, wherein 
 each of the plurality of lenses has
 a first lens surface which is on a light-entering side facing the light-emitting device, and 
 a second lens surface which is on a light-exiting side opposing the light-entering side and faces each of the optical fibers; and 
 
 as a predetermined angle of gradient in relation to the thickness direction of each lens, an exiting direction of light from each of the plurality of lenses is at an angle of gradient allowing a converging point of the light emitted from each lens to be positioned on a predetermined straight line that corresponds to each lens and is parallel in the thickness direction of the lens, under a plurality of different ambient temperatures. 
 
     
     
       2. The lens array apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 center axes of the plurality of lenses are respectively formed parallel in the thickness direction of the lenses, and 
 the exiting direction of the light is at the angle of gradient of each of the plurality of light-emitting elements formed to be displaced by a predetermined displacement amount in the array direction from a center axis of each of the plurality of lenses. 
 
     
     
       3. The lens array apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the exiting direction of the light is at the angle of gradient of each of the plurality of lenses formed such that a displacement of a predetermined amount in the array direction is present between a center axis of the first lens surface on the light-entering side and a center axis of the second lens surface on the light-exiting side. 
     
     
       4. The lens array apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the exiting direction of the light is at the angle of gradient of each center axis of the plurality of lenses formed at the angle of gradient in relation to the thickness direction.